The iconic picture had stared out from the wall of the now derelict White House pub since 2004 but was under threat after being eroded by elements.

However, a plan to save the Rat by carefully removing it from its location has succeeded, and the work of art is now set to raise a significant sum when it goes up for auction shortly.

Stuart Howard of Ascot Property Group told the Liverpool Echo: “If Banksy's Liverpool Rat could feasibly have remained on the Whitehouse pub, or even returned to the building, then we would have been happy to give it pride of place.

“We took the advice of experts and it lead to the conclusion that this was simply not an option.

“The piece has now been preserved and we will ensure that a number of fantastic Liverpool causes benefit from its sale.”